John Stossel
John Stossel
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Fugelsang Stossel is the most well-known alias of this investigative journalist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 6, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. Still living as of my knowledge cutoff.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American journalist, author, television personality, and libertarian commentator. He has spent his career working for ABC News and Fox Business Network among other affiliations.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued free enterprise and limited government, Stossel developed an early interest in economics. This curiosity was fostered through reading the works of Ayn Rand and Adam Smith, which shaped his libertarian worldview.
He attended Princeton University, where he studied economics but did not graduate with a degree due to dropping out. Instead, he pursued a career as a journalist, starting at ABC News in 1970.
Major Accomplishments
Stossel has won numerous awards for investigative journalism during his long and distinguished career. He is best known for his consumer advocacy and exposing waste in government programs and corporate practices.
Some notable examples include:
His exposé on the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) abuse of power, revealing that regulators often used flawed science to justify draconian regulations.
Stossel's investigation into the wastefulness of government-funded projects, such as the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska.
His coverage of the Wall Street bailouts during the 2008 financial crisis.Notable Works or Actions
Stossel has written several books on libertarian themes and economics. These include:
_Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Media Misfits and What I Learned_ (1996)
_Myth, Lies, and Downright Damnable Statistics: Getting Beyond the B.S. with Numbers_ (2000)
He has also hosted several documentary series on Fox Business Network, including "Stossel" which ran from 2009 to 2016.
Impact and Legacy
John Stossel's impact on journalism is undeniable. By using his platform to expose corruption and waste, he brought attention to issues that might have otherwise gone unreported. His advocacy for limited government and individual freedom has inspired countless people around the world.
Stossel's commitment to truth-telling in an era of increasing sensationalism has earned him a reputation as one of the most respected voices in journalism today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Stossel is widely quoted or remembered for several reasons:
Influence on Libertarian Movement: As a prominent figure in libertarian circles, his writings and public appearances have helped shape the movement's views on issues like taxation, regulation, and personal freedom.
Investigative Journalism: His numerous exposés on government waste and corporate abuse have raised awareness about these topics, inspiring reform efforts and sparking conversations about accountability.
Media Presence: As a regular commentator on Fox Business Network and ABC News, he has reached a broad audience with his message of limited government and individual liberty.
Overall, John Stossel is remembered for his tireless advocacy of libertarian principles and his dedication to exposing wrongdoing in both the public and private sectors.
Quotes by John Stossel
John Stossel's insights on:
A thousand restaurants close every month. They re-open, and that’s good for America. Nobody’s rescuing them. They employ people, too. If we let them go bankrupt, the factories don’t go away, the creative people don’t go away. They get employed more productively by others.
Madoff’s scam was small compared to Ponzi schemes the government itself runs: Social Security and Medicare.
Patrick Henry did not say, ‘Give me absolutely safety or give me death.’ America is supposed to be about freedom.
A system that rewards politicians skilled at campaigning – which is the art of creating an illusion – and that puts hundreds of billions of coerced taxpayer dollars at the disposal of the winners will tend to attract men and women with a comparative advantage in manipulation.
Donald Trump was offended when I called him a bully for trying to force an old lady out of her house to make more room for his Atlantic City casino. After the interview, the producer stayed behind to pack up our equipment. Trump came back into the room, puffed himself up, and started blustering, “Nobody talks to me that way!” Well, someone should.